Check signing and endorsing mechanism



May 5, 1936. H. A. SWANSON CHECK SIGNING AND ENDORSING MECHANISM Filed May 1'7, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet l ll-lll lllll lln l-Ill.

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[26204220 22 z W W% Patented May 5, 1936 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHECK SIGNING AND ENDORSING MECHANISM Hjalmar A. Swanson, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Cummins Perforator Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application May 17, 1934, Serial No. 726,098

2-7 Claims. 101-235) The invention relates generally to printing and which includes a friction drive for the inkmechanism. with particular reference to improve-- ing roller which is rotated intermittently.

ments in check signing and endorsing machines With these and various other objects in view, such as disclosed in my prior Patent No. 1,992,256 the invention may consist of certain novel fee.- granted February 26, 1935. tures of construction and operation, as will be Machines disclosed in said patent are charmore fully described and particularly pointed acterized by a type carrying member in assoout in the specification, drawings and claims apciation with an impression member between pended hereto. which a work sheet or check, as the case may In the drawings which illustrate an embodibe, is passed for performing a printing operament of the device and wherein like reference 10 tion. The type member as shown in said patcharacters are used to designate like partsent is intermittently rotated by means of a novel Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional form of clutch which is actuated by the work view of a check signing and endorsing machine sheet or check when the same is dropped into equipped with the improvements of the inventhe feed opening of the machine to initiate rotion; 15 tation of the type member. The machine com- Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken prises two sections or compartments supported substantially along line 2-2 of Figure 1; on the same base, one containing the printing Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken elements such as the ink reservoir, type carrysubstantially along line 3-3 of Figure 1;

ing cylinder and power means, preferably an Figures4 and5 are detail sectional viewsshow- 20 electric motor, and the other section journalling ing the structure for eccentrically mounting the the impression cylinder and providing a recepinking roller; tacle and stacking member for the printed sheets. Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken The invention has for its general object to protransversely of the machine and showing modi- 35 vide an improved type of machine adapted for fied inking mechanism; light printing work such as signing and endors- Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along line ing checks, which will be simple in construction, 1--! of Figure 6 showing the position of the parts efficient and positive in operation, and designed when the type cylinder is stationary; to fulfill all service requirements. Figure 8 is a detail sectional view showing the 39 A further object is to improve the construction improved construction of clutch, and yielding of check signing and endorsing machines to mastop for the type cylinder and their arrangeterially reduce the noise and jar resulting from ment with respect to the feed wheels and printthe stopping of the type cylinder at the coming cylinder; pletion of the printing operation; to provide an Figure 9 is a plan view of the structure shown improved arrangement of feed rollers and trip in Figure 8;

mechanism which will result in greater efliciency Figure 10 is a detail sectional view taken suband more positive operation in the feeding of the stantially along line l0|0 of Figure 8; checks and tripping of the clutch to initiate ro- Figure 11 is a perspective view of the improved tation of the normally stationary printing cylclutch pawl and release arm; 49 inders, and to provide improvements which will Figure 12 is a perspective view of the tripping make positive and certain the correct discharge arms; and of the printed checks and which will also make Figure 13 is a view of the resilient mounting for greater ease in the handling of the printed means for the inking roller taken substantially checks. along line l3-I3 of Figure 6. A further object is to provide inking mecha- The machine selected for illustration in the nism for supplying the proper quantity of ink drawings includes, as shown in Figures 2 and 3,

' to the type cylinder of a check signing and ena frame or housing formed of two sections dorsing machine which will be simple in conmounted on a common base l0, one section comstruction, efficient in operation, and which will prising side members II and I2, end member I3,

have a. minimum number of continuously rotata partition l4 and a top plate l5 and the other ing parts to reduce the noise incident to the opsection comprising side members l6 and I1 and U eration of the machines. end member 20 and a top plate 2|. The latter Another object is to provide novel means for section forms a receptacle for receiving the applying ink to the type cylinder in such manner printed work sheets and accordingly the side as to relieve the motor of unnecessary strain members have portions cut therefrom to allow access to the same. The top plates I5 and 2| are made fiat to provide a support for the work sheets or checks to be printed. Plate 2|, as shown in Figure 1, has suitably secured thereto a paper guard 22 which may also function as a guide for directing the work sheets between the printing cylinders as the same may be provided with side flanges 23.

The section formed by the side members II and I2, end member I3 and top plate I5 houses the type cylinder and inking rollers and means for rotating the same to perform a printing operation when a work sheet or check has been properly positioned with respect to the type member. Power is supplied by an electric motor 24 suitably secured to support 25 and having a rotor shaft on which is mounted a worm gear 26. The gear is adapted to drive a type carrying cylinder including a body portion 21 carrying any suitable form of type such as 28, Figure 3, and circular end members 29 and 38 which are secured to shaft 3| rotatably mounted in the respective side members I I and I2 by ball bearing races 32. Located below the type cylinder 2'! is an inking roller 33 mounted for rotation on shaft 34 and adapted to intermittently contact an ink distributing roller 35 which is supported in the ink reservoir 36 by means of shaft 31. Shaft 34 is eccentrically mounted in blocks 38 fitting within hubs 48 formed on the respective side frames. Collars 4I retain the inking roller substantially centrally of shaft 34 and in alignment with the type cylinder 21 so that the same is in contact with said type cylinder when shaft 34 is oscillated to move the inking roller upwardly. The shaft is resiliently forced in this direction by coil springs 42 secured at one end to pin 43 projecting from the shaft and at its other end to the respective side frames. The end member 29 forming the left end of the type cylinder is provided with a flat portion 44 which is located towards the inking cylinder when the type cylinder is stationary as shown in Figure 1. Rotatable on shaft 34 and fixed so as to rotate with the inking cylinder 33 is a cam follower 46 positioned concentrically with respect to shaft 34 and adapted to contact cam 28 having the fiat portion 44. When the type cylinder is at rest, as shown in Figure 1, the portion 44 is in contact with cam follower 46, allowing upward movement of the inking roller 33 as the same is biased in this direction by the coil springs 42. This movement of the inking roller is suflicient to space the same with respect to the reservoir roller 35 and the parts remain spaced until a printing operation takes place, whereupon by reason of the rotation of the cam 29 the inking roller 33 is forced downwardly, causing oscillation of shaf t 34 against the tension of springs 42. This downward movement will bring the inking roller into contact with the reservoir roller, rotating the inking roller and at the same time distributing liquid ink over its surface which is in turn imparted to the type form 28 during rotation of the type cylinder.

The shaft 31 supporting roller 35 in the reservoir extends a considerable distance beyond the sides of the reservoir and at its right hand end, Figure 3, is provided with a pin 41 which is received within longitudinal slots formed in the collar 48 when said end is located within the collar. The support 58 rotatably mounts the stud shaft 5I by means of ball bearing races 52 and which has fixed thereto the collar 48 and a sprocket wheel 53. This sprocket wheel meshes with a chain 54 which in turn meshes with sprocket wheel 55 fixed to sleeve 56 mounted for rotation on shaft 3| by means of ball bearings 51. Also fixed to sleeve 56 is a gear 58 which meshes With worm gear 26, so that said sleeve has continuous rotation and in turn drives the stud shaft 5I continuously through the chain 54 and sprockets as described. The end of shaft 31 is coupled to stud shaft 5I by means of said collar and pin so that the shaft and reservoir roller therefor receive continuous rotation from the stud shaft. The construction permits removal of the reservoir to permit cleaning or for other reasons as replenishing the ink supply.

Figures 6 and 7 show a modified construction of inking mechanism wherein the inking roller shaft is mounted in floating bearings. The inking roller 33 is fixedly secured to shaft 60 which is mounted for rotation in blocks 6I slidably mounted within channel-shaped members 62, one of which is secured to support 63 and the other to a detachable plate 64. Located between the base of said channel-shaped member and the block 6| is a coil spring 65 for yieldingly forcing said blocks upwardly whereby the inking roller is yieldingly held in contact with the type cylinder 21. In this modification the end member 29 is provided with a recess 61. When the type cylinder is at rest said recess is located adjacent a cam 68 fixed to shaft 68. This permits limited upward movement of the inking roller 33, which is biased in this direction by coil spring 65 and spaces the inking roller with respect to the reservoir roller 35. The parts remain in this position until the type cylinder is rotated to perform a printing operation, whereupon recess 61 passes out of contact with cam 68 and the high portion of cam 29 forces the inking roller downwardly into contact with the reservoir roller which rotates continuously, being driven by the structure shown in Figure 3.

The sleeve 56 has a clutch wheel IU formed integral therewith and which rotates continuously, being driven by the motor through the sleeve. The clutch wheel forms one of the feed wheels for feeding the check to the printing cylinders. The other feed wheel II is journalled on the stud shaft I2 which is suitably secured to the depending end of support I3. Shaft I4 extends between the side frames I6 and II and carries the support I3 which is held positioned on said shaft by collars I5. The support is resiliently urged in a clockwise direction, Figure 8, to maintain feed wheel II in engagement with clutch wheel 10 by means of the coil spring I6, which is secured at one end to a projection provided on the support and at its other end to a pin carried by collar 11 fixed to a transverse rod 18 also supported by side frames I! and I8 in a manner similar to shaft I4.

The type cylinder is associated with an impression cylinder supported from shaft I4 by the depending supports 8| which are rotatable on shaft I4 and are resiliently biased in a clockwise direction by the coil springs 82. This maintains disc I9 at the end of the impression cylinder, Figure 2, in yielding contact with the end member 29 of the type cylinder which is necessary for the printing operation. Provision is made for adjusting the pressure between the disc and end member, which takes the.form of a rearwardly extending arm 83, Figure 9, integral with each of the impression cylinder supports 8I. Arms 83 terminate directly over the transverse rod I8 at which point the arms are provided with a threaded stud 84 which is locked in adjusted position by the nut 85. The coil springs 82 force the impression clyinder outwardly toward the type cylinder, causing rotation of arms 83 in a direction to hold the end of the threaded stud 84 in engagement sure between the contacting members.

with rod I8. Adjustment of the threaded stud to raise the arm will result in diminishing the pres- It will be seen that the type form on the type cylinder projects sufficiently from the surface of the same to be engaged by the impression roller so that the printing operation takes place when a sheet of paper is positioned therebetween. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention the feed wheel is located to one end of the impression cylinder but the shaft journalling the feed wheel is out of axial alignment with the impression cylinder shaft. This is possible since the feed wheel is mounted independently of the impression cylinder and it will be noted that the feed wheel has contact with the clutch wheel at a point above the point of contact between the type and impression cylinders. This structural arrangement of the parts insures positive feed of the checks or work sheets since they contact first the feed and clutch wheels and are fed by the continuous rotation of these wheels to the printing cylinders.

The clutch mechanism for operatively connecting the type cylinder 21 with the clutch wheel 19 includes a pawl 86 pivotally secured by stud 81 to end member 39 of the type cylinder and having formed integral therewith a release arm 88 and an actuating arm 89. The interior of the clutch wheel I9 is provided with ratchet teeth with which the pawl 86 engages to couple the clutch wheel and type cylinder. The release arm 88 is provided with a shoulder portion 99' engaged by a spring pressed detent 9I to hold the release arm and thus the pawl either in released or engaged position and also functions to prevent inadvertent movement of these parts. Pivotally secured to support 92 are a pair of tripping arms 93 located on the respective sides of the clutch wheel I9 and joined by member 94 so that said arms have movement in unison. The arm located to the outside of the clutch wheel is provided with end 95 which extends in the path of the checks presented to the feed wheels. The other actuating arm has an arcuate depending end to engage the portion 89, thus transmitting movement to said pawl in accordance with movement of end 95 caused by the feeding of a check between the feed wheels. Positioned to the left of the type cylinder, Figure 8, and pivotally secured to support 92 is a locking lever 96 which is resiliently urged in a direction toward the cylinder by the coil spring 91. The periphery of the type cylinder is cut away as at 98 to receive the end of the lock ing lever, whereby said cylinder is held against rotation. The lever is formed with a bulbous portion I99 which is positioned for engagement with the end of the release arm 88. When a check is inserted between the printing cylinders and is fed by the feed wheels the arms 93 are tripped, causing actuation of pawl 86 and engagement of the pawl with the clutch teeth. This couples the constantly rotating clutch wheel with the type cylinder and simultaneously releases the locking lever 96 as upward movement of the release arm contacts the bulbous portion I99 and causes outward movement of the locking arm. The type cylinder therefore rotates to perform a printing operation on the check inserted between the cylinders which takes place when the check is confined between the type form 28 and the impression cylinder 89. Continued rotation of the cylinder will bring the type form into contact with the inking roller 33, whereupon a fresh supply of liquid is imparted to the type form. Continued rotation will eventually cause engagement of the projecting end of the release arm 88 with the member I9I, throwing the pawl 86 out of engagement with the teeth of the clutch wheel I9. The momentum of the rotating type cylinder is sufficient to bring recess 98 into contact with the locking lever 96, definitely bringing the cylinder to rest and holding the same against rotation until the arms 94 are again tripped by the feeding of a check to the printing cylinders.

Although the checks or sheets may be dropped into the machine angularly positioned they will pass through the machine in substantially horizontal alignment. This objective is accomplished by the tripping arm 95 positioned to the outside of the clutch wheel I9 and by the disc I9 on the end of the impression cylinder opposite the tripping arm, and which contacts with cam 29 on the type cylinder. If one end of the check is leading as the same is dropped into the machine it will contact either the tripping arm or will become engaged between the stationary disc I9 and the cam 29. The free end will drop to horizontally align the check before feeding of the check takes place, with the result that the same passes through the machine for the printing operation horizontally positioned.

Stopping of the cylinder as above described results in a considerable impact between the cylinder and the stopping lever 96. This impact or jar is transmitted to support 92 and eventually to the frame of the, machine. To absorb the shockof impactthe support 92 is recessed to receive a member I92, which has seating engagement 'within the recess and is resiliently held against said seat by the fiat strip of spring metal I93. Member I92 receives the pin I94, pivotally securing the locking lever to the member. The upward thrust imparted to the locking lever when the rotating cylinder contacts therewith is absorbed by the strip of spring metal I93 so that the type cylinder is in effect yieldingly brought to rest with a minimum of noise and jar.

The frame provides a receptacle for receiving the printed checks which is shown equipped with a. stacking member I95, Figure l, rotatably mounted on rod I8 which additionally mounts the coil spring I96 connecting with the stacking memdirection.

properly locate each printed check in correct position and which includes the transverse shaft I9I suitably journalled in the side frames of the machine and driven intermittently from the type cylinder shaft 3| by chain I98, meshing with sprockets on the shafts, respectively. The shaft carries the arcuate arms I99 projecting through openings H9 in partition I4 which separates the receptacle from the inking mechanism. The partition is provided with upwardly extending fingers I I which overlie the periphery of the type cylinder between the cylinders and function as guides to direct the printed checks into the receptacle. As the checks drop into the receptacle they are stacked by the rotating arcuate arms I99 in vertical position and supported by the yielding stacking member I95. As the printed checks increase in number the stacking member is forced in a direction toward the right, Figure 1, until the limit of the receptacle is reached.

The present machine is adapted to sign checks in addition to endorsing them and for the purpose it is necessary'to deposit the checks horizontally instead of in the vertical filing order as above described. Accordingly the invention provides a removable tray I I2 having wall H3 which clears the stacking arms I09 when the tray is located within the receptacle. For catching the checks as they are ejected from the printing cylinders to cause the checks to be deposited horizontally in the tray there is provided a plurality of curved fingers I I4 securely fastened to the outwardly sloping upper portion of wall I Hi. The leading edge of the printed checks in striking the arcuate fingers is directed toward the right, Figure 1, and simultaneously assumes a horizontal position. The printed check is then deposited by gravity upon the pile supported by tray H2. The check is accordingly turned substantially degrees after it is ejected from the cylinders and so is deposited upon the tray in horizontal position. The tray is removable from the machine and the same can be easily converted into stacking of the printed checks vertically which is required when they are endorsed.

It is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited by the exact embodiment of the device shown, which is merely by way of illustration and not limitation, as various and other forms of the device will of course be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, in combination, a type cylinder, a rotatable shaft having said type cylinder secured thereto, a clutch wheel adapted to rotate on said shaft, a feed wheel yieldingly held in contact with said clutch wheel, and an impression cylinder yieldingly held in engagement with said type cylinder, the point of contact of the clutch and feed wheels lying in a horizontal plane above the point of contact of the type cylinder with the impression cylinder.

2. In a device of th character described, in combination, a plurality of rotatably mounted printing cylinders including a type cylinder and an impression cylinder, a rotatable shaft having said type cylinder secured thereto, a clutch wheel adapted to rotate on the shaft,-a feed wheel yieldingly held in contact with said clutch wheel, a second shaft journalling said impression cylinder, and means resiliently forcing said second shaft toward the type cylinder to hold the impression cylinder in contact with the type cylinder, the point of contact of the clutch and feed wheels lying in a horizontal plane above the point of contact of the type cylinder with the impression cylinder.

3. In a device of the character described, in combination, a plurality of rotatably mounted printing cylinders including a type cylinder and an impression cylinder, a rotatable shaft having said type cylinder secured thereto, a second shaft journalling said impression cylinder, a clutch wheel adapted to rotate on the type cylinder shaft, and a feed wheel yieldingly held in contact with said clutch wheel, said feed wheel being located to one end of said impression cylinder shaft but out of axial alignment with said shaft.

4. In a device of the character described, in combination, a plurality of rotatably mounted printing cylinders including a type cylinder and an impression cylinder, a rotatable shaft having said type cylinder secured thereto, a second shaft journalling said impression cylinder, means resiliently biasing said second shaft to yieldingly hold the impression cylinder in contact with the type cylinder, a clutch wheel mounted for rotation on the type cylinder shaft, a feed wheel, and a stud shaft mounting said feed wheel for contact with the clutch wheel, the point of contact of the clutch and feed wheels lying in a different horizontal plane with respect to the point of contact of the type and impression cylinders.

5. In a device of the character described, in combination, a plurality of rotatably mounted printing cylinders including a type cylinder and an impression cylinder, a rotatable shaft having said type cylinder secured thereto, a second shaft journalling said impression cylinder, means resiliently biasing said second shaft to yieldingly hold the impression cylinder in contact with the type cylinder, a clutch wheel mounted for rotation on the type cylinder shaft, a feed wheel, a stud shaft supporting said feed wheel for bodily movement independently of the impression cylinder, and means resiliently forcing said stud shaft in a direction to hold the feed wheel in contact with the clutch wheel, the point of contact of the clutch and feed wheels lying in a different horizontal plane with respect to the point of contact of the type and impression cylinders.

6. In a device of the character described, in combination, a frame, a shaft journaled in the frame and carrying a type cylinder, a clutch wheel mounted for rotation on said shaft, an impression cylinder journaled for rotation and having cooperation with the type cylinder, a clutch pawl pivoted to the type cylinder, an actuating arm positioned on each side of the clutch wheel, said arms being joined together, one of said arms being engaged by a sheet inserted between the cylinders and the other of said arms having contact with said clutch pawl.

'7. In a check signing and endorsing machine, in combination, a type cylinder, a rotatable shaft mounting said type cylinder, an impression cylinder yieldingly held in contact with the type cylinder, a sleeve mounted for independent rotation on the type cylinder shaft, means constantly rotating said sleeve, a clutch member fixedly secured to said sleeve and adapted to rotate the type cylinder, and a feed wheel yieldingly held in contact with the periphery of said clutch member and rotated through frictional engagement therewith.

8. In a check signing and endorsing machine, in combination, a type cylinder, a rotatable shaft mounting said type cylinder, an impression cylinder yieldingly held in contact with the type cylinder, a sleeve mounted for independent rotation on the type cylinder shaft, means constantly rotating said sleeve, a clutch wheel fixedly secured to said sleeve and positioned adjacent an end of said type cylinder, said clutch wheel having an annular flange provided with clutch teeth on the interior surface, a pawl carried by the type cylinder and adapted to engage the teeth to couple the clutch wheel and the type cylinder, a feed wheel, and means supporting said wheel for bodily movement independent of the impression cylinder, said means being biased in a direction to hold the feed wheel in contact with the periphery of said flange.

9. A check signing or endorsing machine, comprising an intermittently driven type cylinder rotatable about a horizontal axis, means for initiating the rotation of said type cylinder, an inking roller rotatable about a horizontal axis and yieldingly held in contact with said type cylinder, a reservoir for liquid ink positioned below said inking roller, a roller rotatably mounted in said reservoir and normally out of contact with said inking roller, and means forcing said inking roller into contact with said reservoir roller during rotation of the type cylinder.

10. A check signing or endorsing machine, comprising an intermittently driven type cylinder rotatable about a horizontal axis, means for initiating the rotation of said type cylinder, an inking roller rotatable about a horizontal axis and yieldingly held in contact with said type cylinder, a reservoir for liquid ink positioned below said inking roler, a roller rotatably mounted in said reservoir and normally out of contact with said inking roller, means constantly rotating said reservoir roller, and means forcing said inking roller into contact with the reservoir roller during rotation of the type cylinder.

11. A check signing or endorsing machine, comprising an intermittently driven type cylinder rotatable about a horizontal axis, means for initiating the rotation of said type cylinder, an inking roller rotatable about a horizontal axis and yieldingly biased in a direction toward said type cylinder, a reservoir for liquid ink positioned below said inking roller, a roller rotatably mounted in said reservoir and normally out of contact with said inking roller, means for constantly rotating said reservoir roller, and means rotating with said type cylinder for forcing said inking roller into contact with the reservoir roller.

12. A check signing or endorsing machine, comprising an intermittently driven type cylinder rotatable about a horizontal axis, means for initiating the rotation of said type cylinder, an inking roller rotatable about a horizontal axis and yieldingly biased in a direction toward said type cylinder, a reservoir for liquid ink positioned below said inking roller, a roller rotatably mounted in said reservoir and normally out of contact with said inking roller, means constantly rotating said reservoir roller, and a cam rotatable with said type cylinder and operative to force said inking roller into contact with the reservoir roller during rotation of the type cylinder, whereby said inking roller is frictionally driven.

A check signing or endorsing machine, comprising an intermittently driven type cylinder rotatable about a horizontal axis, means for initiating the rotation of said type cylinder, an inking roller, a shaft for said inking roller mounted for limited movement toward andaway from the type cylinder, means biasing said shaft in a direction toward said type cylinder, 2. reservoir for liquid ink positioned below the inking roller, a roller rotatable in said reservoir and normally out of contact with said inking roller, means constantly rotating said reservoir roller, and a cam rotating with said type cylinder and operative to force the inking roller into contact with the reservoir roller during rotation of the type cylinder, whereby said inking roller is frictionally driven and functions to receive ink from the reservoir roller and apply the ink to the type cylinder.

14. A check signing or endorsing machine, comprising an intermittently driven type cylinder rotatable about a horizontal axis, means for initiating the rotation of said type cylinder, an eccentrically mounted shaft, an inking roller rotatably carried by said shaft, resilient means tending to rotate said eccentric shaft in a direction to move the inking roller toward the type cylinder, a reservoir for liquid ink positioned below said inking roller, a roller rotatably mounted in said reservoir and normally out of contact with said inking roller, means for constantly rotating said reservoir roller, and means rotating with the type cylinder for forcing said inking roller into contact with the reservoir roller.

15. A check signing or endorsing machine, comprising a plurality of printing cylinders including a type cylinder, a rotatable shaft having said type cylinder secured thereto, a clutch wheel mounted on the type cylinder shaft and having rotation independently thereof, and clutch means initiated by the feeding of a check to the printing cylinders for coupling the clutch wheel with the type cylinder, a rotatable inking roller yieldingly biased in a direction toward said type cylinder, a reservoir for liquid ink positioned below the inking roller, a roller rotatably mounted in said reservoir and normally out of contact with said inking roller, means rotating said reservoir roller from the clutch wheel, and means rotating with the type cylinder for forcing said inking roller into contact with the reservoir roller during a printing operation.

16. In a check signing and endorsing machine, the combination with a; frame, of a shaft journalled in the frame and having a type cylinder secured thereto, a clutch wheel rotatably mounted on said shaft and operatively connecting with the power means continuously rotating the same, a clutch pawl pivoted to the type cylinder and adapted to engage the clutch wheel to cause rotation of the type cylinder, an actuating arm associated with the pawl, means contacting said pawl to disengage the same upon substantial completion of one revolution of the type cylinder, a locking member adapted to engage the type cylinder to bring the same to rest and to hold the type cylinder against rotation in one direction, and means supporting the locking member in a manner permitting yielding movement to cushion the jar incident to bringing the type cylinder to rest.

17. In a check signing and endorsing machine, the combination with a frame, of a shaft journalled in the frame and having a type cylinder secured thereto, a clutch wheel rotatably mounted on said shaft and operatively connecting with the power means continuously rotating the same, a clutch pawl pivoted to the type cylinder and adapted to engage the clutch wheel to cause rotation of the type cylinder, an actuating arm associated with the pawl, means contacting said pawl to disengage the same upon substantial completion of one revolution of the type cylinder, a locking member adapted to engage the type cylinder to bring the same to rest and to hold the cylinder against rotation in one direction, and a pivotal support for the locking member to permit swinging of the same for releasing the type cylinder, said pivotal support having yielding movement to cushion the jar incident to bringing the type cylinder to rest.

18. In a check signing and endorsing machine, the combination with a frame housing a plurality of printing cylinders including a type cylinder and an impression cylinder, a rotatable shaft having said type cylinder secured thereto, a second shaft journalling said impression cylinder, means resiliently biasing said second shaft to yieldingly hold the impression cylinder in contact with the typecylinder,aclutchwheel mounted for rotation on the type cylinder shaft, a pawl pivoted to the type cylinder and adapted to engage the clutch wheel to cause rotation of the type cylinder, a feed wheel, resilient means holding the feed wheel in contact with said clutch wheel, and a trip arm positioned in the path of the checks fed to said wheels to cause actuation of said pawl.

19. In a check signing and endorsing machine, the combination with a frame housing a plurality of printing cylinders, including a type cylinder and an impression cylinder, a rotatable shaft supporting said type cylinder, a second shaft journalling said impression cylinder, means resiliently biasing said second shaft to yieldingly hold the impression cylinder in contact with the type cylinder, a constantly rotating clutch wheel mounted on the type cylinder shaft, a pawl carried by the type cylinder and having releasable engagement with the clutch wheel to cause intermittent rotation of the type cylinder, a feed wheel, means supporting the feed wheel for bodily movement independent of the impression cylinder, said supporting means being yieldingly forced in a direction to hold the feed wheel in contact with said clutch wheel, and a trip arm positioned in the path of the checks fed to said wheels to cause actuation of said pawl.

20. In a check signing and endorsing machine, the combination with a frame housing a plurality of printing cylinders, including a type cylinder and an impression cylinder, rotatable shafts j ournalling said cylinders respectively, means resiliently biasing the impression cylinder shaft to yieldingly hold the impression cylinder in contact with the type cylinder, a clutch wheel mounted on the type cylinder shaft and having connection with power means continuously rotating the same, a pawl carried by the type cylinder and adapted to releasably engage the clutch wheel to cause intermittent rotation of the type cylinder, a feed wheel, a stud shaft journalling said feed wheel, resilient means holding the feed wheel in contact with said clutch wheel, and a trip arm positioned in the path of the checks fed to said wheels to cause actuation of said pawl, said feed wheel being located to one end of said impression cylinder shaft but being out of axial alignment with said shaft.

21. In a check signing and endorsing machine, the combination with a frame housing a plurality of printing cylinders including a type cylinder and an impression cylinder, shafts journalling said cylinders respectively, a disc having the same diameter as the impression cylinder fixed to said impression cylinder shaft and positioned at one end of the cylinder, a cam fixed to the type cylinder shaft and located at one end of the type cylinder in alignment with said disc, resilient means holding the disc on the impression cylinder shaft in contact with said cam on the type cylinder shaft, a constantly rotating clutch wheel mounted on the opposite end of the type cylinder shaft, means carried by the type cylinder and adapted to releasably engage the clutch wheel to cause intermittent rotation of the type cylinder, and a trip arm positioned in the path of the checks fed to said cylinders to cause actuation of said means, said trip arm being located at the end of the printing cylinders opposite the disc and cam.

22. In a check signing and endorsing machine, in combination, an intermittently rotating type cylinder, an impression cylinder cooperating therewith, means located on the adjacent end of the type and impression cylinders respectively and adapted to contact with each other, clutch means for intermittently rotating said type cylinder, and a trip arm positioned in the path of the checks fed to said cylinders to cause actuation of the clutch means, said trip arm also functioning to horizontally position the checks before they are presented to the cylinders, and said contacting means on the cylinders respectively likewise functioning to horizontally position the checks.

23. In a check signing and endorsing machine, the combination with a frame, of a shaft journalled in the frame for supporting a type cylinder, an impression cylinder cooperating with the type cylinder, a clutch wheel on the type cylinder shaft operatively connecting with power means continuously rotating the same, means carried by the type cylinder for releasably engaging the clutch wheel to cause intermittent rotation of said type cylinder, a reservoir for liquid ink located below the type cylinder, a roller rotatably mounted in said reservoir, an inking roller positioned between the type cylinder and reservoir roller and supported for limited bodily movement, and means rotating with the type cylinder for holding the inking roller in contact with the reservoir roller during rotation of the type cylinder, whereby the inking roller receives ink from the reservoir roller and applies the ink to the type cylinder.

24. In a check signing and endorsing machine, the combination with a frame, of a shaft journalled in the frame for supporting a type cylinder, an impression cylinder cooperating with the type cylinder, a clutch wheel on the type cylinder shaft operatively connecting with power means continuously rotating the same, means carried by the type cylinder for releasably engaging the clutch wheel to cause intermittent rotation of said type cylinder, a reservoir for liquid ink locatcd below the type cylinder, a roller rotatably mounted in said reservoir, an inking roller positioned between the type cylinder and reservoir roller and yieldingly held out of contact with the reservoir roller, and means rotating with the type cylinder for forcing and holding the inking roller in contact with the reservoir roller during rotation of the type cylinder.

25. In a check signing and endorsing machine, the combination with a frame, of a shaft journalled in the frame for supporting a type cylinder, an impression cylinder cooperating with the type cylinder, a clutch wheel on the type cylinder shaft operatively connecting with power means continuously rotating the same, means carried by the type cylinder for releasably engaging the clutch wheel to cause intermittent rotation of said type cylinder, a reservoir for liquid ink located below the type cylinder, a roller journalled in said reservoir .and operatively connecting with the power means continuously rotating the same, an inking roller positioned between the type cylinder and reservoir roller and yieldingly held out of contact with the reservoir roller, and means rotating with the type cylinder for forcing and holding the inking roller in contact with the reservoir roller during rotation of the type cylinder, whereby said inking roller is frictionally driven and functions to receive ink from the reservoir roller and apply the ink to the type cylinder.

26. In a check signing and endorsing machine, the combination with a frame, of a shaft journalled in the frame for supporting a type cylinder, an impression cylinder cooperating with the type cylinder, a clutch wheel having rotation on the type cylinder shaft and operatively connecting with power means continuously rotating the same, means carried by the type cylinder for releasably engaging the clutch wheel to cause intermittent rotation of said type cylinder, a reservoir for liquid ink located below the type cylinder, a roller journalled in said reservoir, an eccentrically mounted shaft positioned between the type cylinder and reservoir roller, an inking roller rotatable on said shaft, means yieldingiy forcing said eccentric shaft in a direction to hold the inking roller out of contact with the reservoir roller, and means rotating with the type cylinder for forcing and holding the inking roller in contact with the reservoir roller during rotation of the type cylinder.

27. In a device of the character described, in combination, a pair of printing cylinders comprising a type cylinder and an impression cylinder, a rotatable shaft carrying said type cylinder, a

second shaft carrying said impression cylinder, means resiliently biasing said second shaft to yieldingly hold the impression cylinder in contact with the type cylinder, a clutch wheel mounted for rotation on the type cylinder shaft, a feed wheel, a stud shaft supporting said feed wheel for bodily movement independently of the impression cylinder, and means resiliently forcing said stud shaft in a direction to hold the feed wheel in contact with the clutch wheel, said impression cylinder shaft and said stud shaft being located on the same side of the type cylinder but out of axial alignment with each other.

HJALMAR A. BWANBQN. 

